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Norah Jones: Come Away With Me
ByJones is backed seamlessly by some highly regarded jazz talent, including guitarists Adam Levy and Bill Frisell, drummers Brian Blade and Dan Rieser, organist Sam Yahel, accordionist Rob Burger, and violinist Jenny Scheinman, amongst others. Jones plays piano on all tracks. Harris and Alexander also play on every track and, as noted, serve as the chief songwriters. There's a touch of Rickie Lee Jones and maybe a little Billie Holiday in Norah Jones' honey-and-smoke voice, as well as the quality and vulnerability of Eva Cassidy. Jones' voice is captivating and is the most distinctive attribute of her singing. Another notable attribute is her natural, relaxed phrasing which represents an assuredness and maturity not often found in 23-year old singers.
Duke Ellington, who reveled in diversity, often employed the phrase "beyond category" when referring to individuals that rose above the labels that we so often place on our artists. Norah Jones is truly beyond category and she is without genre. She resides where the lines between country, folk, pop, rock and jazz are blurred to the point of erasure. I get the distinct impression that she can sing anything'folk, blues, pop, jazz, R&B, gospel'and make it sound like it was the only music that mattered.
In a recent interview, Norah Jones stated, "I don't know if the music in my CD can be classified as jazz or even pop. Hopefully fans of both can appreciate it. In the end, it's all about the songs. I think they're all very strong songs." I agree and wish to add that Jones is a most welcome addition to the growing ranks of new, young vocalists who sing in tune, who tell the story and who choose interesting material. Jones apparent early success is not simply a triumph of savvy management and publicity. She has much to say and says it with unquestioned skills as a singer and songwriter. And, best of all, as Cole Porter might have said, Norah Jones' voice has gossamer wings.
From Hank Williams to Hoagy Carmichael, I highly recommend Norah Jones' debut CD.
Track Listing
Don't Know Why; Seven Years; Cold Cold Heart; Feelin' The Same Way; Come Away With Me; Shoot the Moon; Turn Me On; Lonestar; I've Got To See You Again; Painter Song; One Flight Down; Nightingale; The Long Day Is Over; The Nearness Of You.
Personnel
Norah Jones
pianoNorah Jones- vocals, piano, electric piano; Lee Alexander- bass; Jesse Harris, Adam Levy, Tony Scherr, Adam Rogers, Kevin Breit- guitar; Dan Rieser- drums; Brian Blade- drums, percussion; Sam Yahel- organ; Rob Burger- pump organ, accordion; Jenny Scheinman- violin; Bill Frisell- electric guitar on "The Long Day is Over;" Kenny Wollesen- drums on "The Long Day is Over."
Album information
Title: Come Away With Me | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Blue Note Records